Hundreds of Giant grocery workers, joined by elected officials and community leaders, plan to deliver thousands of "save my store" petition signatures directly to company headquarters today. The protesters are calling on the company to save hundreds of jobs in the region threatened by a corporate merger between Ahold and Delhaize, the European-owned parent companies of Giant Food and Food Lion, respectively. The rally and march start at 11a at UFCW 400 in Landover (see Calendar, right). Click below to read more.
In March, employees at eight Giant Food grocery stores in the region were told their stores could be sold thanks to a corporate merger between Ahold and Delhaize, the European-based parent companies of Giant Food and Food Lion. They weren't told when this would happen or even what would happen to their jobs. Instead, they were told to keep it to themselves and get back to work. As one cashier recalled, "management told me, 'don't tell the customers, you might scare them away!'"
Now, with hundreds of jobs at stake, the employees are fighting back. They've collected thousands of signatures on a petition to the company and plan to deliver them directly to Giant Food Headquarters on Wednesday. The petition reads:
"We intend to do whatever it takes to preserve our collective bargaining agreement - no matter who owns the stores or what brand they are operated under. We value the protection of our union contract - including allowing current employees to transfer to other locations in the event of a sale or merger. We call on you to respect our loyalty, dedication, and years of service to this company by preserving good jobs in our community."
Now, with hundreds of jobs at stake, the employees are fighting back. They've collected thousands of signatures on a petition to the company and plan to deliver them directly to Giant Food Headquarters on Wednesday. The petition reads:
"We intend to do whatever it takes to preserve our collective bargaining agreement - no matter who owns the stores or what brand they are operated under. We value the protection of our union contract - including allowing current employees to transfer to other locations in the event of a sale or merger. We call on you to respect our loyalty, dedication, and years of service to this company by preserving good jobs in our community."